Shadows at Augury Academy

Summary: An enchanted school called Augury Academy is shrouded by an ominous mystery: professors and students vanish without a trace, casting a shadow over the once-harmonious halls. Cedric, Sofia, and Butterford are summoned to go undercover at the school, where they unravel a web of secrets, puzzles, and missing people. As they delve deeper into the mystical academy's secrets, the trio must guard their true identities while unearthing the truth behind the disappearances, lest they become the next targets to vanish in plain sight. (Takes place 6 years after my Season 5)

Disclaimer: I only own Jas Butterford, Serena and Charlie (mentioned), and the other OCs as well as Augury Academy. MarionetteJ2X owns Nana and Tanya (mentioned).

Chapter 9: Triple Threat

Lunchtime the next day was spent in the library, though the trio wasn't alone for a change. Many students were seated throughout the large room, on sofas and in chairs, curled up with texts and novels of all sorts. Some were studying for tests, while others were simply reading to decompress from the overwhelming coursework they were given. Unlike the stickler for cleanliness Noxie, Butterford was less concerned with students eating in the library (likely because it wasn't his actual job, and because both of his companions could magically deal with any spills anyway). Therefore, if some students happened to eat their lunch in the library, he didn't bat an eye.

The friends were settled in a secluded corner of the library, concern evident on their faces while they ate sandwiches and talked. To them, the atmosphere at Augury Academy was definitely different—tense, even. While no one else, as far as they knew, was aware of the Puppet Master, several people seemed to report devious whispers in the night, or being shoved by an invisible force and nearly tripping down a spiral staircase. The problem was that the Puppet Master could literally be anyone: a random villain who had a vendetta against the victims, a current student or staff member, or perhaps, in a more unsettling way, some wicked entity with dark desires to corrupt and/or destroy. Regardless, one thing was obvious: the undercover trio had to tread carefully, for their own safety as much as others'.

Granted, there had been a few leads recently, most notably three people either working at or attending the academy, whom the trio wanted to pursue. Each person possessed certain questionable qualities that could be considered concerning or suspicious in a way.

Butterford placed the second half of his sandwich on a cloth napkin before dusting his hands off, ridding his fingers of any crumbs that might have stuck to them. "Ce—Uh, Professor Oaken," he began with a small laugh, catching himself, "how are things going in your classes? I saw you talking to Professor Thorne earlier, and he seemed a little…strange."

Cedric hummed. "Er, yes… Yes, Riley, he did seem a bit secretive, didn't he? The faculty members were discussing how he's been disappearing between classes, and he always seems to be glancing over his shoulder, as if anxious." He took a sip of his water and sighed. "And Delaney, a student of mine and the student council president…" He pushed his glasses up on his nose, smiling a bit as Sofia giggled next to him. "I've noticed that she has quite an uncanny influence on her peers. If she asks for something, they get it immediately."

"Sounds like my sister when we were younger, Professor Oaken," Sofia told him with a cheeky grin. "Anyway, I don't think she seems suspicious at all. Just…driven? Now Mr. Bailes, the guy who does the record-keeping…" She folded her arms, frowning. "I heard he knows a lot about magical artifacts. I've also heard he has something of a negative track record around here, so it's possible he could be the one doing all this stuff."

"We can't judge a 'track record' alone, Camri," Butterford insisted. "Those could just be rumors, after all."

"You're right."

"We need to dig deeper," Cedric suggested. "But we must also be careful." He looked around the library, which was slowly thinning out as students left. He chanced a glance toward the door that led to the underground area they'd visited recently, and he felt a chill shoot down his spine. "I have a feeling that so-called 'Puppet Master' is watching our every move, quite possibly even laughing at us."

Butterford shrugged as he gathered the leftover trash, discarding it in a nearby receptacle. "Wouldn't be the first time. Make sure you guys be careful." He watched as his friends left the library together, and then he leaned against a sturdy bookcase, exhaling. "Oh…"

"Excuse me?"

The Guardian turned, blinking as he faced a young woman. "Um, hi. Can I help you?"

The brunette, her hair tied into curly pigtails that bounced around her shoulders, smiled sweetly as she clutched a portfolio to her chest. Her odd magenta eyes seemed to hold a sage mystery that Butterford found quite interesting. "I'm doing a report on the despair of the Magic Conquest of Avalor. Can you help me find the right books for it?"

"Uh… S-Sure, sure! Yes, because I'm the…the librarian." Two things went through his mind as he nervously began skimming the rows, trying to recall where specific information would be: one, he was terrible at lying; and two, next time (if there was a next time), he would take on a more inconspicuous role. Evidently, even librarians weren't as secluded as he thought.

"I know you're new at this school, but…" The girl giggled as she pointed to a shelf that Butterford had already passed. "Shouldn't you know the system by now?"

He laughed nervously, folding his arms. "I should… I'm just… It takes me a while to get adjusted to a new place."

She nodded. "I get it. This is my first year here too. Well, I got here at the end of the last semester, actually. So this is technically my first full year. I'm Rhea, by the way."

"You can just call me Riley."

"You're awfully young to be a librarian…" She grinned, withdrawing the books she needed from the shelf. "I'll aspire to be like you then. A strong, independent, intelligent, lovely young woman."

Butterford laughed softly. "Um… Try again…"

Rhea paused, blinking. "You're not independent?" Seeing Butterford place a hand to his head in distress, she grinned again. "I'm just kidding. Sorry for the misunderstanding."

"Heh, it happens all the time. A-Anyway, I need to head back to my office. Are…you good?"

"Yes. Thank you, Riley." She smiled and turned, heading to a table in the far corner of the library, spreading her books on the surface as she took a seat, beginning to open the covers and get herself comfortable.

Butterford quickly hurried into his office, shutting the door behind him. He sighed heavily and leaned against it, the back of his head touching the wood surface. "I'm definitely not cut out for this job…"

The day passed by more quickly than expected, with the trio individually continuing their investigation of the campus and the people around. Several strange things happened throughout the course of the day, too. Objects moved on their own, startling some of the students. Many people reporting feeling a sense of unease, especially in different nooks and crannies of the school. And at night, eerie whispers were reportedly heard through the long corridors, frightening even some of the bravest people. Given the sheer number of people missing, these strange and increasingly frequent occurrences had everyone on edge.

"I don't want to be Riley anymore," Butterford complained that evening as he brushed out his hair, frowning when Cedric gave him a pointed look. "I don't know enough about magic and literature. Tell you what. You and I will trade places, Cedric. You take over my position, and I'll be the sexy, mysterious Professor Oaken."

Cedric laughed. "We're already too far in, Jas. You don't know what I've covered in class, so it will be a dead giveaway. And our mannerisms aren't exactly the same."

"Maybe not, but I can definitely imitate you." He stood, walking in front of the beds, clearing his throat as he paced the floor. "Now, students," he said with a convincing British-sounding accent, "today, we'll be going over magical animals. Miss Camri." He stopped, eyeing Sofia, who was giggling. "Something funny, my dear?"

"Oh, my gosh, he sounds just like you, Cedric!"

"Yes, except our tone and pitch are a bit different," the sorcerer admitted. "Just hang in there, Jas. Things will be coming to a close soon enough. I can feel it."

Butterford sighed as Sofia reached out, taking his hand and smiling at him, which he returned. "I hope you're right."

The following day, the trio went about their normal routine, though during their breaks, they pursued different leads that they'd brought up. Sofia shadowed Professor Thorne, whom she found rather suspicious due to his odd behavior. For someone so well respected in the academy, he sure did have a habit of disappearing at weird times.

The princess trailed the man, someone in his 50s with a heavy assortment of facial hair but none on his head. She saw as he adjusted his long robes, grumbling something under his breath. As she quietly followed him, she noticed him slip behind what appeared to be a column, but it was actually a very discreetly hidden passageway. So as to not alert the man, Sofia paused for a few moments before finally deciding to follow behind him.

Sofia cautiously followed Professor Thorne down the dimly lit passageway, its walls adorned with ancient sconces that cast eerie shadows. The air felt mysteriously heavy as they both rounded a corner, revealing a small, dimly lit chamber. Strange artifacts and dusty tomes lined the shelves, their titles hinting at ancient and forbidden magic. Despite the unsettling atmosphere, Sofia pressed on, determined to confront the man she'd been following. "Professor Thorne?"

The man blinked as he looked up from scribbling furiously in a journal, slamming the book shut as he stuttered, "W-Who are you?"

"I'm Camri," she responded, her fake French accent a bit more pronounced due to the situation. She was nervous, just as he appeared to be. "I'm…in one of your classes, remember?"

"Ah, yes, yes…" He cleared his throat, brushing a hand over his bare head. "What are you doing here, young lady?"

"I might ask you the same thing." She gestured to all the odd items and books. "What is this place, and what are all these dark magic texts supposed to be?"

The older man frowned. "What concern is it of yours, young one? It's merely research."

"On the Puppet Master?"

Professor Thorne leaned forward on his knees, his heavy gray eyes narrowing as he stared intently at Sofia. "What do you know of the Puppet Master?"

Instantly, she wondered if she'd said too much. However, something inside her told her that despite the cold exterior of the man, he wasn't evil. He was just…focused. Strange, but heavily in tune with his research. Kind of like how Cedric once was…and sometimes still could be. "Not enough," she admitted, keeping one hand on the doorknob just in case. "I just…know I've heard about all those people missing, and someone mentioned the Puppet Master, and—"

"Camri." Professor Thorne stood up, walking over to Sofia, towering over her with a serious yet sincere expression. "For your own safety, please, I beg you… Leave this to the professionals. You're only a girl, and I would hate to see you meet the same fate as some of those other students. I'll tend to my own affairs, and I suggest you do the same." Without another word, he ushered her out of the room and closed the door on her.

Sofia sighed deeply, biting her lip as she turned to leave. While she still had questions, she instinctively knew one thing: whether Professor Thorne was successful with his quest or not, he was not the Puppet Master. He wasn't wicked at all. She trusted her instincts by now, so she decided to surrender any further suspicions of him, returning to her regular schedule.

Meanwhile, Cedric, or rather Professor Oaken, decided to observe Delaney, the student council president. Her charm and influence over her peers seemed almost unnatural. He watched as she effortlessly swayed the opinions of her classmates, always seeming to know exactly what to say to get what she wanted. She had a 'queen bee' mentality, much like Sofia's friend from Royal Prep all those years ago (Hildegard, was it?). Whether it was about the assigned schoolwork or any pressing social issues, Delaney was able to persuade (or perhaps even threaten) others to agree with her, regardless of the topic.

After the monthly student council meeting ended that afternoon, Cedric caught the girl as she was leaving one of the classrooms. "Delaney, may I have a word with you?"

Delaney turned, her smile as radiant as ever. "Of course, Professor Oaken. What can I do for you?"

"I couldn't help but notice how persuasive you are with your peers," Cedric said carefully. "It's quite impressive."

Delaney's smile faltered for just a moment before she regained her composure. "Thank you, Professor. I suppose it's just a natural talent."

Cedric studied her closely. "A talent, indeed. But sometimes, natural talents can be...enhanced. Don't you think?"

Delaney's eyes narrowed slightly, but she maintained her polite demeanor. "I'm not sure what you're implying, Professor." She smiled sweetly as she lifted her hand, gently tugging at his sleeve in an almost suggestive fashion. "Unless you are wanting to help me enhance…my natural talents."

Cedric cleared his throat and somehow miraculously managed to keep from blushing as he brushed her hand away. "N-No, young lady. I was merely making an observation. Erm, keep up the good work. In class, that is…"

Her smile teetered on a smirk before morphing into a soft giggle as she left, heading down the hallway, tossing her luscious dirty blonde curls over her shoulder.

"Not evil," the sorcerer muttered. "Just manipulative, like many popular students." He rolled his eyes before heading in the opposite direction of Delaney.

Butterford, disguised as Riley, decided to pay a visit to Mr. Bailes, the academy's record keeper. Bailes was known for his extensive knowledge of magical artifacts, and Butterford couldn't shake the feeling that he might be involved in the strange occurrences at the academy. As he entered Bailes's office, he noticed the shelves lined with ancient tomes and mysterious artifacts. Bailes looked up from his desk, a curious expression on his face.

"Hello. Riley, isn't it?" Seeing the other guy nod, the older man chuckled, adjusting his glasses and brushing some of his red locks back from his eyes. "What brings you here?" Bailes asked, his tone friendly.

"I was hoping to learn about some of the artifacts in your collection," Butterford acknowledged, his eyes scanning the room. "I've always been fascinated by magical history, and I'm trying to get better at my new role as a librarian. It's my first time having that kind of job." He smiled sheepishly. "I'm kind of surprised they hired me for it, to be honest. I was so nervous during my interview."

Bailes smiled, shrugging. "I personally had a similar experience. I had a shrewd woman interviewing me, giving me this icy look of contempt for even trying to occupy her space and time, apparently. Yet, I still got the job, so I must have done something right." Laughing, he gestured around his office. "Feel free to look around. If you have any questions, just let me know."

"Thank you." Butterford began examining the artifacts, and while doing so, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He noticed a faint, almost imperceptible hum coming from one of the shelves in the other man's office. Reaching out, he touched a small, ornate box, and the hum grew louder.

"Bailes," Butterford called out, "what's this box?"

Bailes's eyes flickered with something unreadable. "Ah, that's a relic from the Old World. It's said to contain a powerful enchantment, but its true purpose remains a mystery."

Butterford's curiosity deepened. "May I take a closer look?"

"Be my guest," Bailes replied, watching closely as Butterford examined the box.

The Guardian's unease grew as he examined the ornate box, its intricate carvings seeming to pulse with latent energy. With each passing moment, the hum grew louder, resonating through his fingertips and sending shivers down his spine. A sense of foreboding washed over him, hinting at the box's dark and dangerous nature. "I-Interesting," he managed, hastily returning the box to its shelf. "Thank you for letting me see it."

"Of course," Bailes replied, watching closely as Butterford tugged his sleeves down over his hands. "But that's not why you're here, is it? Not really."

"What do you mean?"

Bailes frowned, his previous cheerful guise fading a bit. "You don't belong here. I'd be careful if I were you. This is a dangerous place right now, Riley… If that's your real name." He returned to his work, missing the look on the Guardian's face. "I won't say anything. Just watch your back."

A bit speechless, Butterford whispered a quick apology and thanks before hurriedly leaving Bailes's office.

That evening, the trio reconvened in their room, sharing their findings.

"Professor Thorne may be hiding something," Sofia said. "But I think he has a right to… He has a secret room filled with artifacts and books on dark magic. He seemed a bit surprised when I brought up the Puppet Master, so I think he knows more than he let on... But he was concerned for my safety and told me basically to mind my own business so that I didn't get hurt."

"Delaney is not evil, but she certainly has a wicked sense about her," Cedric confirmed as he twirled his wand around his fingers. "Just like most teenage girls."

Sofia grinned, crawling over to his side and cuddling next to him on the bed, cooing, "Not all teenage girls are wicked. Remember when I was a teenager?"

"You were different. You were always different." He placed a kiss on her forehead as she giggled.

"And Bailes," Butterford began, smiling as his friends continued their affectionate interaction, "has a collection of powerful artifacts, including a really weird box. I felt so uneasy while holding it. And he told me that he could tell I didn't belong here… I don't know if he had anything to do with the missing people or not, but…" He sighed. "I just don't know. I feel like we're missing something."

The room fell silent as they processed the information. The Puppet Master's influence was pervasive, and their list of suspects was growing. Yet they were hardly any closer to solving the mystery of the missing faculty, staff, and students; nor did they know how to save any of them or take down the evil entity calling itself the Puppet Master.

"We need to be more careful than we have been," Cedric said finally. "While it may not seem like it, I feel like we're getting closer to the truth, but the Puppet Master is watching. We will run into red herrings, and we must avoid wrong turns if and when possible. We can't afford any mistakes."

Sofia moved over to the other bed and reached out, placing a hand on Butterford's shoulder when she noticed his concerned expression. "Don't worry, Jas. We'll finish this together, like always. I think it's almost over… I hope so, anyway."

He smiled gratefully, the weight of their mission feeling just a little bit lighter. As they prepared for another day of investigation, they knew that the stakes were higher than ever. The Puppet Master seemed to be looming ever closer, and they were running out of time.

To be continued…

Next Chapter: Significant